Aussie Thompson beats Spanish veteran

Promising young Australian Jordan Thompson has continued his run of impressive form at the Kooyong Classic, taking the scalp of world No.14 Feliciano Lopez.

Kooyong VIC 3144, Australia, 15 January 2015 | AAP

Promising young Australian Jordan Thompson has continued his run of impressive form at the Kooyong Classic, taking the scalp of world No.14 Feliciano Lopez.

In his first match at the Australian Open warm-up tournament the 20-year-old lost in a third-set tiebreak to world No.5 Japan’s Kei Nishikori but he was all smiles after overcoming the Spaniard 7-6 (9-7) 6-3.

Thompson, who is ranked No.273 in the world, showed his speed around the court and impressive serve to outplay 33-year-old Lopez.

“I played really well today,” the Sydneysider said.

“He didn’t play his best but I will definitely take that.”

The win was a big boost to Thompson’s confidence heading into the Australian Open, where he will be the beneficiary of a wildcard for the second straight year, courtesy of his victory in December’s playoff.

Last year in the first round, Thompson led 20th seed Jerzy Janowicz two sets to love before the Pole powered home.

“I’ll hopefully keep it going into the Australian Open and if I get two sets up take the third one,” Thompson said.

Earlier at the Kooyong Classic, Frenchman Gilles Simon cruised to a straight-sets win over young Serb Filip Krajinovic 6-4 6-3.